Kidney-Friendly Foods in Lebanon

Pomegranate is moderately high in potassium (236 mg/100g) and has some research suggesting it may reduce oxidative stress in CKD — but the potassium load limits its use in advanced stages. Enjoy in moderation (¼-½ fruit) for CKD stages 1-3; limit in stages 4-5 and dialysis. Pomegranate juice is more concentrated and should be avoided with high potassium.

Cooked chickpeas have moderate potassium (291 mg/100g) and higher phosphorus (168 mg/100g). For advanced CKD and dialysis, limit servings (½ cup) and count phosphorus. The classic chole is often sodium-heavy — kidney patients should prefer home-cooked, low-salt versions or skip it.

Cooked chicken is a high-quality protein with moderate potassium (256 mg/100g) and phosphorus (196 mg/100g). Portion control (100-150g) makes it acceptable for all CKD stages. For advanced CKD with high phosphorus, use phosphorus binders with meals and limit portions. Avoid processed chicken products (sodium + phosphate additives).

Cinnamon per 100g is high in potassium (431 mg/100g), but the cooking/spice dose (½ tsp) adds only ~5 mg. Culinary cinnamon is safe for all CKD stages. High-dose cinnamon supplements are not recommended (coumarin liver risk in cassia cinnamon; uncertain benefit for diabetes).

Mint per 100g is high in potassium (569 mg/100g), but garnish portions (2 tbsp, ~6g) add only ~34 mg — practically safe. Mint chutney is fine when made without excess salt. Mint tea is negligible. Avoid mint supplements or concentrated mint extracts in advanced CKD.

Coriander leaves per 100g are high in potassium (521 mg/100g), but garnish portions (2 tbsp, 8g) add only ~42 mg. Coriander is a staple garnish in Indian food and safe at cooking/garnish doses for all stages. Avoid concentrated coriander chutneys with added salt in advanced CKD.

Homemade vegetable soup's potassium depends on the vegetables — high-potassium vegetables (potato, tomato, spinach) raise it. For CKD stages 3-5, choose low-potassium vegetables (bottle gourd, green beans, cabbage) and minimal salt. Soup is a good way to add vegetables if portioned carefully.

Fresh apricots are moderate in potassium (259 mg/100g) — three apricots deliver ~272 mg. Dried apricots are far worse: ~1,162 mg potassium per 100g due to concentration. For CKD stages 3-5, limit fresh apricots and avoid dried ones entirely.

Fresh figs are moderate in potassium (232 mg/100g) — acceptable in small portions for early CKD. The danger is dried figs (anjeer), which concentrate potassium to ~680 mg/100g. For stages 3-5, avoid dried figs; fresh figs in moderation.

Zucchini is moderate in potassium (261 mg/100g). For early CKD, normal portions are fine; for stages 3-5, limit to half-cup portions. It's a versatile low-calorie vegetable, but Indian ridge gourd (turai, 139 mg/100g) is the lower-potassium alternative.

Fava Beans has moderate levels: 268 mg potassium, 125 mg phosphorus, 241 mg sodium per 100g. It is fine in small portions for early CKD (stages 1-3a), but in stages 3b-5 and dialysis you should limit portions and count it against your daily potassium and phosphorus budget.

Lamb has moderate levels: 314 mg potassium, 200 mg phosphorus, 78 mg sodium per 100g. It is fine in small portions for early CKD (stages 1-3a), but in stages 3b-5 and dialysis you should limit portions and count it against your daily potassium and phosphorus budget.

Yogurt Greek has moderate levels: 141 mg potassium, 136 mg phosphorus, 36 mg sodium per 100g. It is fine in small portions for early CKD (stages 1-3a), but in stages 3b-5 and dialysis you should limit portions and count it against your daily potassium and phosphorus budget.

Kefir has moderate levels: 164 mg potassium, 105 mg phosphorus, 40 mg sodium per 100g. It is fine in small portions for early CKD (stages 1-3a), but in stages 3b-5 and dialysis you should limit portions and count it against your daily potassium and phosphorus budget.

Labneh has moderate levels: 164.1 mg potassium, 101.2 mg phosphorus, 41.8 mg sodium per 100g. It is fine in small portions for early CKD (stages 1-3a), but in stages 3b-5 and dialysis you should limit portions and count it against your daily potassium and phosphorus budget.

Pomegranate Juice has moderate levels: 214 mg potassium, 11 mg phosphorus, 9 mg sodium per 100g. It is fine in small portions for early CKD (stages 1-3a), but in stages 3b-5 and dialysis you should limit portions and count it against your daily potassium and phosphorus budget.

Baklava has moderate levels: 170 mg potassium, 116 mg phosphorus, 311 mg sodium per 100g. It is fine in small portions for early CKD (stages 1-3a), but in stages 3b-5 and dialysis you should limit portions and count it against your daily potassium and phosphorus budget.

Pita Chips has moderate levels: 129 mg potassium, 124 mg phosphorus, 854 mg sodium per 100g. It is fine in small portions for early CKD (stages 1-3a), but in stages 3b-5 and dialysis you should limit portions and count it against your daily potassium and phosphorus budget.

Hummus Chickpea has moderate levels: 289 mg potassium, 166 mg phosphorus, 438 mg sodium per 100g. It is fine in small portions for early CKD (stages 1-3a), but in stages 3b-5 and dialysis you should limit portions and count it against your daily potassium and phosphorus budget.

Shawarma Wrap has moderate levels: 170 mg potassium, 180 mg phosphorus, 421 mg sodium per 100g. It is fine in small portions for early CKD (stages 1-3a), but in stages 3b-5 and dialysis you should limit portions and count it against your daily potassium and phosphorus budget.

Pita has moderate levels: 120 mg potassium, 97 mg phosphorus, 536 mg sodium per 100g. It is fine in small portions for early CKD (stages 1-3a), but in stages 3b-5 and dialysis you should limit portions and count it against your daily potassium and phosphorus budget.

Hummus Spread has moderate levels: 312 mg potassium, 181 mg phosphorus, 426 mg sodium per 100g. It is fine in small portions for early CKD (stages 1-3a), but in stages 3b-5 and dialysis you should limit portions and count it against your daily potassium and phosphorus budget.

Zucchini Raw has moderate levels: 261 mg potassium, 38 mg phosphorus, 8 mg sodium per 100g. It is fine in small portions for early CKD (stages 1-3a), but in stages 3b-5 and dialysis you should limit portions and count it against your daily potassium and phosphorus budget.

Tomato Sauce has moderate levels: 297 mg potassium, 27 mg phosphorus, 474 mg sodium per 100g. It is fine in small portions for early CKD (stages 1-3a), but in stages 3b-5 and dialysis you should limit portions and count it against your daily potassium and phosphorus budget.

Pita Bread has moderate levels: 120 mg potassium, 97 mg phosphorus, 536 mg sodium per 100g. It is fine in small portions for early CKD (stages 1-3a), but in stages 3b-5 and dialysis you should limit portions and count it against your daily potassium and phosphorus budget.

Beans Garbanzo Cooked has moderate levels: 291 mg potassium, 168 mg phosphorus, 7 mg sodium per 100g. It is fine in small portions for early CKD (stages 1-3a), but in stages 3b-5 and dialysis you should limit portions and count it against your daily potassium and phosphorus budget.

Beans Fava Cooked has moderate levels: 268 mg potassium, 125 mg phosphorus, 5 mg sodium per 100g. It is fine in small portions for early CKD (stages 1-3a), but in stages 3b-5 and dialysis you should limit portions and count it against your daily potassium and phosphorus budget.

Beef Ground 85 has moderate levels: 295 mg potassium, 171 mg phosphorus, 66 mg sodium per 100g. It is fine in small portions for early CKD (stages 1-3a), but in stages 3b-5 and dialysis you should limit portions and count it against your daily potassium and phosphorus budget.

Beef Ground 90 has moderate levels: 281.4 mg potassium, 148 mg phosphorus, 61.6 mg sodium per 100g. It is fine in small portions for early CKD (stages 1-3a), but in stages 3b-5 and dialysis you should limit portions and count it against your daily potassium and phosphorus budget.

Beef Ground 93 has moderate levels: 336 mg potassium, 192 mg phosphorus, 66 mg sodium per 100g. It is fine in small portions for early CKD (stages 1-3a), but in stages 3b-5 and dialysis you should limit portions and count it against your daily potassium and phosphorus budget.

Yogurt Plain Whole has moderate levels: 146.9 mg potassium, 125.9 mg phosphorus, 33.8 mg sodium per 100g. It is fine in small portions for early CKD (stages 1-3a), but in stages 3b-5 and dialysis you should limit portions and count it against your daily potassium and phosphorus budget.